Allies’ rift continues to widen as AJK polls enter 2nd phase

Political tensions between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), allies in Pakistan's federal government, continue to escalate in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK). Despite multiple rounds of talks, disagreements over the results of the first phase of AJK elections, particularly in Mirpur, have not subsided, leading to continued accusations of rigging.

The second phase of the AJK elections is now underway, covering nine constituencies in the Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee constituencies. The ongoing electoral contest is further strained by sharp exchanges between leaders of the two allied parties. PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah responded to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's allegations of rigging in the 2024 general elections by questioning the legitimacy of PPP President Asif Ali Zardari's presidency. Sanaullah alluded to historical events, referencing Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's rise to power after the country's division.

Further fueling the discord, PPP leader Saeed Ghani directly accused the PML-N of never winning a general election without rigging. Ghani asserted that the PPP had always come to power legitimately, contrasting it with his claim that the PML-N secured victory in the 2024 polls through fraudulent means. These accusations follow recent press briefings by Punjab's ministers, who criticized the performance of the Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief ministers.

The political challenges extend to the Sharif family, who met at their Jati Umra residence to assess the mounting political difficulties. The internal discussions likely focused on managing the fallout from the AJK elections and the broader implications for the ruling coalition's stability.